WEST ALABAMA THURSDAY BRIEFING

Heavy rainfall has greeted West Alabama for Thursday, July 13, 2023. As much as six to eight inches of rain have already inundated some areas of Sumter County prompting a Flood Warning, which expired at 9:30 this morning. Water has even covered travel lanes in both directions of I 20/59 at York in Sumter County. Further complicating the travel situation is U.S. 11, which is used as the alternate safety valve when the interstate is blocked, is also experiencing flooding conditions in that area.

According to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, the slow-moving thunderstorms could drop another one to two inches over portions of West Alabama. That potential has resulted in the issuance of a Flood Watch until 7:00pm. Flash Flooding from excessive rainfall is possible in Bibb, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Pickens Sumter and Tuscaloosa County. Extensive street flooding, and flooding of creeks and streams is possible.

A Flood Warning for the Sucarnoochee River at Livingston is in effect until Sunday morning.

Otherwise, the forecast for today calls for scattered to numerous showers and storms lasting through the afternoon and early evening hours. Storms will be capable of producing heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty winds. Highs will be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Tonight, skies will be partly to mostly cloudy with a few showers and storms lingering through 10pm. Overnight low temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s.

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Topping the News:

Tuscaloosa Police is asking anyone who has been treated by Ellory Johnson at MentorUp Life Lab & Clinic on Jack Warner Parkway NE to contact them. The Moundville resident was arrested earlier this week and charged with practicing medicine without a license.

Tuscaloosa City Schools has 37 classroom teacher and 37 support personnel positions open. In an attempt to fill them as the new school year fast approaches, the system is hosting a job recruitment event from 10 until 2 Monday at Central High School. There will be a short interview and participants are urged to bring their resume.

Alabama Senior U-S Senator Tommy Tuberville, at the urging of the state’s Junior U-S Senator Katie Britt has finally admitted that White Supremacists are racist. Now Dems and Republicans alike are attempting to get him to release his hold on military flag officer's promotions. For his part, Tuberville told CBS News there are two sides to the issue, and it could be resolved by Democrats allowing a Senate vote on the Pentagon's policy for allowing reimbursement for travel by military personnel or family seeking abortions.

Narcotics agents reportedly took two pounds of methamphetamine off the streets of Tuscaloosa and Brookwood in separate busts Monday. Takaya Rander of Pompano, Florida, has reportedly admitted she was sent here with a pound of meth in an Arby's bag to deliver it for local distribution. 26-year-old Devin Andrew Florence reportedly admitted he was selling it.

Andy Hamlin, the district attorney who represents Pickens, Lamar and Fayette counties in the 24^th Judicial Circuit has been elected the Executive Director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association. He has been a DA since he was appointed by Gov. Ivey in 2018.

Two firefighters shot while on duty at Birmingham Fire Station #9 remain in critical condition this morning. The incident has prompted the Tuscaloosa Fire/Rescue Service to send their best wishes to the two men. Birmingham Police continue to investigate a motive and seek a possible suspect or suspects. Fire stations by the nature of their service are open for a quick response.

The new branch of the Boys and Girls Club has now been officially dedicated at the Robert Hasson Community Center in Northport. The ceremonies took place yesterday with a ribbon cutting.

The facility has space for some 50 children, but an expansion is already in the works as there is a waiting list for new members.

In Sports:

Four-star interior offensive lineman Casey Poe has committed to the Crimson Tide. Poe, who plays his high school football at Lindale in Texas, became Alabama’s 13th commit in the 2024 class.

College football is just around the corner. The Big 12 Conference is conducting their media days this week and the Southeastern Conference does Monday.

The SEC event takes place July 17-20 at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Nashville, TN. This will be the first time for the event to be held in Nashville and the third time for the event to travel outside of the Birmingham metro area.

The following is the daily schedule: